In case you were wondering, some of the parts to make my groovy Rough Riders were sculpted by Rob at Curious Constructs.

Thursday, 27 September 2012

The Ruins of Medusa V: The Action at Scourged Hill

Several weeks after the skirmish that became known as the engagement of “Vanquish Vally” a mixed patrol force were scouting an area nearby.

The patrol force comprised of:

A (cheap) command squad from the 40th Line Reg;A (30 man blob) platoon of the 40th Line Reg, supported by two
veteran squads of the 1st Expeditionary Reg. of foot;

A Lascanon battery of the 122nd Reg. of Artillery;

Armoured support in the form of a Demolisher and Hydra from the 10th
Armoured Reg;

Air cover by a Vendetta with a small Navy team embarked,

And finally, cavalry support of a 10 man cavalry troop led
by Col. Ackland from the Thunder Guard Cav. Div.

[This time normal Guard codex rules were used and Ackland
was a count as Mogul Kamir]

The force initially deployed on a large hill and began to
advance down the northern side - out onto the drift, when a demonic assault began.

To their left materialised Ku’gath the Plaguefather in all
his filth, while to the right appeared a large unit of Plague Bearers and Beasts of Nurgle to their front.

‘Is it just me?’ wondered Col Ackland. ‘Well if the Plaguefather wants me he’ll have
to pry my lance from his filthy chest first!”

What followed was a long and bloody battle with a few
critical points:-

After the Lascannon battery and the Vendetta had attempted
to soften up the Plague Father, Ackland and his cavalry charged it. They wounded
it many times but still the daemon stood it’s ground eventually knocking all
the riders from their horses. This gave one of the veteran squads time to
advance and add one more wound with a meltagun to take it down.

Lieutenant Caine’s command squad pulverised large Plague Bearer
units as they materialised everywhere with quad grenade blast salvos. However, it wasn’t enough to stop one unit
from shambling into combat with them. With Caine’s staff impaled on rusty
blades he turned and ran from the field within sight of a commissar- a risky
move.

The blob platoon held an objective the whole battle fighting
off six Beasts of Nurgle, a Daemon Prince, as well as numerous Plague Bearers. Eventually however, as Epidemius’ Tally of Pestilence
grew they were completely outmatched and so attempted to run. Their diligent Commissar
executed one of the sergeants but the squad (still at two thirds full strength)
downed him easily and fled to join their Lieutenant. Lieutenant Caine had been saved from a post
battle summary execution.

The Navy landing party of 6 sailors dropped from the
vendetta to claim an objective, while the Demolisher and Vendetta attempted to kill Epidemius and the Hydra moved
on the last Plague Bearer unit (not that it could do much). However with the command
squad, lascannons, blob platoon, veterans and cavalry all out of the battle it was
game over for the intrepid Imperial Guard.

I was soundly beaten by my usual opponent. In honesty
I was very pleased for him. Too many times my Guard completely rout his army
and that isn’t always fun. His list was one of my ‘terror’ lists apart from a
few changes and the minis were almost all mine too. So in a way it was like
playing against myself, well myself in a competitive ‘destroy everything’ mood.
It was a true taste of my own medicine, but the most enjoyable game I have had in ages! Now I’m really looking forward to our
next battle!